Photo offset plate making machine



A ril 20, 1965 A. GERSON PHOTO OFFSET PLATE MAKING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 17, 1962 April 20, 1965 A. GERSON 3,179,032

PHOTO OFFSET PLATE MAKING MACHINE Filed May 17, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A ril 20, 1965 I A. GERSON 3,179,032

PHOTO OFFSET PLATE MAKING MACHINE Filed May 17, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 20, 1965 A. GERSON PHOTO OFFSET PLATE MAKING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 17, 1962 Ill! I 1/ ,lfllle VIII Ill/Ill I I I/llll =1 QEkik lililli! 1t.

United States Patent 3,179,032 PHOTO OFFSET PLATE MAKING MACHINE Albert Gerson, Yorktown Heights, N.Y. Gerson Offset Press Co., 333 Hudson St., New York, N.Y.) Filed May 17, 1962, Ser. No. 195,580 2 Claims. (Cl. 95-76) This is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 30,113, filed May 19, 1960.

This invention relates generally to the art of making plates used in photo-offset lithography printing and more particularly to a machine especially useful for multi-plate printing and color work.

In the photolithographic process, it is frequently desirable to have multiple images in spaced and predetermined positions on the photolithographic plate, which images are obtained by repetitive exposure. Certain economies result from the production of a number of identical reproductions from a single plate impression, and in color work, the number of impressions is equal to the number of colors used. In order to produce work of acceptable high quality, it is necessary that the various color impressions be exactly superimposed. To this end it is necessary that the negatives used to expose the lithographic plate be in precise register and proper contact. While devices of this general character are known, because of the extremely accurate machine work required in their fabrication and their large bulk and weight, such devices are of relatively high cost and the use thereof is consequently restricted. In addition, the systems employed in prior art machines are complicated and require considerable training before the operator is capable of producing satisfactory work.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved machine of the character described wherein certain of the components used enable the precise registering of the negatives, with respect to the lithographic plate, obtained by using novel structure and precise parts which are commercially available in quantity at relatively lower costs.

Another object herein lies in the provision of a lithographic plate support which although light in weight may present a slightly flexible substantially planar surface, but which nevertheless will permit air movements during exhaustion while the vacuum pump is operating so that proper sealing and contact may be obtained.

Another object herein lies in the provision of a negative carrier support which is adjustable in two directions disposed at 90 with respect to each other and in which registering means assure precise alignment and return to predetermined positions as selected by the user.

Another object of the present invention lies in the provision of structure for the adjustable positioning of the negative carrier support, which affords very rapid and convenient shifting and positioning of said support and quick precise selection of fine space intervals both vertically and horizontally by the mere flicking of two shift levers.

Another object lies in the provision of a chase having a resilient edge for airtight contact with the plate support and automatic means to prevent scufiing or scrubbing of the resilient edge when the case is shifted.

A further object of the present invention lies in the provision of improved chase construction.

3,l?9,fi32 Patented Apr. 20, 1965 Another object herein lies in the provision of new and useful lithographic plate support construction adapted to provide full contact between the negative and the plate.

A feature of the invention is the provision of lithographic plate keying pins for precise plate location, and the location of the base point at one side of the plate support rather than at the center of the machine.

These objects and other incidental ends and advantages will more fully appear in the progress of this disclosure and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view as seen from the left of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail elevational view of a left-hand portion of FIGURE 1 showing the vertical shift lever and associated parts.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary elevation corresponding to FIGURE 3 but showing the vertical shift lever in an altered position thereof.

FIGURE 5 is an end elevation of FIGURE 3 as seen from the left thereof.

FIGURE 6 is an end elevation of FIGURE 4 as seen from the left thereof.

FIGURE 7 is an elevation as seen from the plane 77 on FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view as seen from the plane 3-8 on FIGURE 11.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary enlarged detail sectional view as seen from the plane 9-9 on FIGURE 16.

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view corresponding to FIGURE 9 but showing the chase shifting lever in an altered position thereof.

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged fragmentary detail elevational View of FIGURE 1 showing the horizontal shift lever and the chase shifting lever and associated parts.

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary elevation corresponding to FIGURE 11 but showing the chase shifting lever in an altered position.

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary elevation corresponding to FIGURE 11 but showing the horizontal shift lever in an altered position.

FIGURE 14 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG- URE 15 with the vertical shift lever in an altered position.

FIGURE 15 is a sectional view as seen from the plane 15-15 on FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 16 is an enlarged fragmentary detail front elevational view of the central portion of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 17 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view as seen from the plane 17-17 on FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 18 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional view as seen from the plane 18-18 on FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 19 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional view as seen from the plane 19-19 on FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 20 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional view as seen from the plane 202tl on FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 21 is an enlarged detail fragmentary sectional view as seen from the plane 21-21 on FIGURE 16.

FIGURE 22 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view as seen from the plane 2.222 on FIGURE 16.

FIGURE 23 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view, corresponding to the lower portion of FIG- URE 18 but showing a modification.

In accordance with the invention, the machine, generally indicated by reference character 29, may comprise broadly: a lithographic plate support element 22,, lithographic plate registering means 211, a base 2 mounting means '26 for positioning the support element 22, a negative carrier support 2%, substantially horizontally registering means 3d, substantially vertical registering means 32, and means 34 to vertically move the horizontal registerang means.

It will be undentsood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates, that the same may have included therewith a chase or negative carrier 36, a negative 37, a lithographic plate 38, and a suitable source of illumination (not shown).

The base 24- is preferably possessed of sufficient weight and rigidity to form a stable foundation for the machine 20. Projecting perpendicular-1y up from the base 24 are a pair of uprights 47 and 48. Secured between the uprights 47 and 48 are a plurality of struts 53 forming the means 26, to which the support element 22 is secured.

The vertical registering means 32 includes a pair of racks 59 and 60 which are substantially identical and are in horizontal alignment. Slidably disposed upon said racks are a pair of housings 61 and 62 and, as shown in FIGURE 5, they may have rollers 63 which ride within the channels 23. Over-lying the racks 59 and 6t? are short rack sections 64, 65, 66 and 67 which are completely complementary to the racks 59 and 6t so that with relatively light pressure, the rack sections 6d and '66 or 65 and 67 will properly and alignedly seat or mesh with said racks. The rack sections 64 and 66 or 65 and 67 are moved toward and away from the tracks 59 and 69 by structure shown generally in FIGURE 1 and since the housings 6-1 and 62 and their associated structure are substantially identical, a detailed description of one will sufiice for the other.

The rack sections 64- and 65 are pivotally mounted on a pin 39 trunnioned in the bearing block 119, and are normally urged to disengaged position by the coil springs 141 (one for each of the rack sections 6-4 and 65), as shown in FIGURES 14 and 15. Each of the rack sections 64 and 65 acts as a follower for its respective cams 164 and 165 which are interconnected, provided with vertical shift lever 33 and are keyed to the horizontal shaft 41 journalled in bearings 43 and 12. Bearings 42 and 43 are secured to the housings 61 and 62, respectively. When the lever 33 is in its upward position (FIGURES l, 2, 3, 5, and rack section 64 is engaged with rack 59; and when lever 33 is in its downward position (FIGURES 4, 6, and 14), rack section 65 is engaged with rack 59. As best seen in FIGURE 7, rack section 64 is downwardly offset by a fine interval (for example, but not less than one half tooth pitch.

The means 34 serves to provide the coarse adjustment in vertical displacement of the negative carrier support 28 through vertical movement of the housings 61 and 62 as joined by the transverse member 73. T he housings 61 and 62 are connected to one point on annular chains 77 and 78 which ride on upper sprockets S6, 87, and lower sprockets 8 8, 39. A counterweight 73* is mounted on chains 77 and 78. Sprockets $6 and 87 are fixed on transverse shaft 75 journalled in the upper ends of the uprights 4'7 and &8. One end of shaft 75 is connected by a pair of bevel gears to the vertical shaft 45, in turn connected by a pair of bevel gears 46 to stub shaft 49 and handwheel 13 Thus when the shift lever 33 is in its neutral position (dot-dash lines in FIGURE 6) both rack sections 64 and 65 (and 66 and 67) are disengaged and rotation of handwheel 134- rnoves transverse member 73, and housings 61 and 62 up or down, to a desired approximate pcistion (as for example to a position within /8" of its ultimate position). Moving the shift lever 33 up or down will then force one or the other set of rack Cir sections into the racks 59 and 6t and when the parts are fully interengaged they will be disposed precisely at a predetermined position within the steps which are equal to half the pitch of the racks 59 and 69.

The horizontal registering means 3% comprises a body 51 which is adapted for horizontal travel along the transverse member 73 supported by a plurality of rollers 64, the member 73, serving as a track therefor. Means 30 may be locked in predetermined positions along transverse positions along transverse member 73 by the alternate engagement of one of the track sections 33 or 84 with rack 86, which is suitably secured to the front surface of the member 73. The rack sections 83 and 84 are pivotally mounted .on a pin 52 which is journalled in the bearing 53 mounted on the forward surface of body 51, and are maintained disengaged, or selectively engaged with rack by the cams 183 and .134. Said cams are interconnected or integral with the cam element 185 from which extends the horizontal shift lever 76. The action and structure of the rack 34 and rack sections 83 and 84 and the cams 183 and 184 is substantially the same as that of the racks S9 and 6t and sections 64, 65, 66, and 67, so that when the lever 76 is in neutral, the body 51 may be manually shifted along the member 73 for an approximate or coarse displacement, and then moving the shift lever 76 right or left of center engages the respective rack sections to get precise horizontal positioning in steps equal to one half of the pitch of rack 30.

The cam element 185 is journalled in a bearing 54 on axle 56 and element 185 has a pair of recesses 55 and 155. Disposed to the right of a bearing 104 and projecting forward from body 51 is a guide 25 which rides along horizontal shaft d1 (which is polygonal in cross-section as seen in FIGURE 9), and maintains the slender shaft 41 in predetermined position with respect to body 51. The shaft 4 1 is so constructed and arranged that it presents a fiat surface 2'7 forwardly when any of the rack sections 64-67, inclusive is fully engaged. So also is cam elemetnt 185 and particularly the recesses 55 and 1-55 of element 185 constructed and arranged so that it is out of the way of the projection 29 when either of the rack sections 83 .or 84 is fully engaged with the rack 80. This is to prevent movement of the body 51 in the general plane of the plate support element 22, while the air seal 1111 is engaged against the surface of the lithographic plate 38.

Projecting forwardly from the front surface of body 51 is a cylinder 31 which contains a plunger 35 having rack 74 engaged by gear 102. Gear 1112 is keyed to shaft 1%, which is journalled in the housing 104. Shaft 1113 at its lower end is provided with the negative carrier support shifting lever res. Thus, movement of lever 1 6 to the right as viewed in FIGURE 12 will cause it to take the position shown in FIGURE 11, and the plunger will move the support 28 so that the seal 1G1 contacts element 22, or the lithographic plate if one is m place.

Secured to the upper portion of shaft 103 is a latch 137, and secured to said latch is the projection 29 referred to above. The FIGURE 12 shows the unlocked position, here lever 1% is to the left, the seal 101 is spaced forwardly from the support 22 or if there is a lithograp ic plate 33 in place, then from plate 38. The projection 29 is an upward projecting pin on a short radial arm 129 extending out from the latch 197 which is bifurcatcd (FIG. 12). Thus if neither of rack sections 33 and 34 is engaged in rack 80, the outer surface of cam element 135 will obstruct projection 29, or if neither of rack sections 6% or 65, or 66 or 6'7 is engaged in rack or the bifurcated legs of latch 1117 will not be able to pass rearward over shaft 41, and the lever 106 cannot be moved to make the seal 101 contact the plate 38, or sheet 130 on element 22.

Turning now to FIGURES 1, and 16 to 22, inclusive, the details of the present chase and backboard or lithographic plate structure construction is shown. The negative carrier, generally indicated by reference character 36, includes a main frame 140, and a movable negative holder 111. .The negative carrier '36 has means for the detachable engagement of the negative holder 111 by which the negative 37 is pressed upon the flange 142 of the frame 140. The negative holder is preferably of oblong rectangular shape having external dimensions of a size enabling it to be a sliding fit within the main frame 140. In FIGURE 17, the negative holder 111 is shown in a position where it is about to be received by the main frame 140 andin FIGURE 18, the negative holder 111 is shown in a position where it is almost fully seated, and in FIGURE 22 the negative holder 111 is fully seated, pressing the negative 37 against the flange 142 with a series of orifices in the negative 37 engaged by the positioning projections 143. The projections 143, project forwardly from the flange 142 and they are disposed at predetermined intervals along the upper portion of the flange 142 and along the lefthand portion of the flange 142. The arrangement of these projections is indicated in dotted lines in FIGURE 16. The negative 37 is preferably composed of dimensionally stable synthetic resin and of a size to be disposed within the main frame 140. When the negative 37 has been placed upon the flange 142 with the projections 143 disposed within the correspondingly positioned orifices in the negative, said negative is precisely keyed in location with respect to the other moving parts of the device. Thus, it is a simple matter to substitute other negatives correspondingly punched and with precise registration. A negative mounted on the projections 143 is maintained in its proper position by the negative holder 111 which is provided with an annular cushioning member 145. The cushioning member may be composed of rubber.

The negative holder 111 is adapted to fit precisely (in a sliding manner) within the frame 140, and holder 111 is held in position by being placed behind or inwardly of the lugs 122 and the locks 123. The open position of the locks 123 is shown in dot-dash lines in FIGURE 16. When pivoted to their closed position, they urge the negative holder to compress the member 145 and to precisely position the negative 37.

The carrier 36 is preferably of oblong rectangular shape and is provided with handles 112 and 113 and with a pair of selectively engageable mounting members 114 and 115. The members 114 and 115 are provided with a plurality of precisely located holes 116 and 117 respectively which may engage upon the correspondingly positioned pegs 118 and 119. The carrier 36 is held by pairs of wing bolts 120 and 121 which may threadedly engage the element 36 (see FIGURES 9 and 10). By engaging and disengaging the bolts 120 and 121, the chase can be used in either of two positions 90 apart.

The lithographic plate support element 22 is adjustable as to flatness by the threaded rods 125, the inner ends 126 of which are connected to element 22, by the anchor plates 127. The outer ends of the rods freely pass through the struts 58. Adjustment of the nuts 128 and 129 enables the element 22 to be slightly distorted forward or rearward to get it flat. The requirement for absolute flatness is reduced by the use of the following structure.

The element 22 is provided with a thin planar flexible sheet 130 which is preferably spaced a slight distance (for example of an inch forward of the front surface of the element 22). The sheet 130 is loosely retained in position by a rim 131, which is secured to the element 22 by screws 132.

When the air is withdrawn from the space between the negative 37 and the lithographic plate 38, the sheet 130 can flex slightly to provide complete contact. Excessive forward movement is limited by the structure shown in FIGURE 19, where a bolt has its head 151 engaged 6 in a dished portion 152 of sheet 139. The element 22 may be provided with a bushing 155 within which the smooth shank of the bolt 150 is slidably disposed. Outward movement of the sheet 130 is inhibited by the helical spring 156, the spring tension of which may be regulated by the nut 157.

This construction avoids the necessity for making a relatively large area backboard absolutely planar, and the present construction will act to correct any deviations Which-occur over a period of time.

In making a lithographic plate, the plate 38 is suitably positioned on the sheet 130 by abutting the top edge and the left side edge against pins 21 which are placed in the holes therefor (FIGURE 1).

Next the negative 37 is placed so that its holes are engaged by the projections 143 on the flange 142. The holder 111 is put in place and locked and the suction pump is started. This withdraws air by means of the tube 161 from the channel 162 and as the air is exhausted, atmospheric pressure brings the negative 37 and the plate 38 in contact with each other, the sheet 130 flexing to produce intimate contact over the entire area which is to be exposed. By virtue of the improved construction described, proper contact between negative and plate is obtained at relatively low pressures.

It will be understood, of course, that the pump is not started until the negative is precisely located with respect to the photolithographic plate, and that this location is first obtained in a coarse manner along the scales 94 and 95 which are read from the indicators 194 and 195 con nected to the housing 61 and the body 51 respectively; and in a fine manner by manipulation of the levers 33 and 76.

The expression negative is used to designate not only a true photographic negative, but also any material used to obtain difference in actinic effect on the sensitized surface material supported on the photolithographic plate support element.

In the modification of the air seal 101, illustrated in FIGURE 23, to avoid repetition corresponding parts are given the same reference characters with the addition of the suflix a. The seal 101a, composed of an annulus or annularly arranged strips of rubber or similar resilient material, is provided with a forwardly directed dovetail or keystone-shaped rib 1011) (in cross section) which is detachably engageable within a complementary shaped groove in the main frame of the negative carrier. This construction avoids cementing the seal to keep the same in the place, provides a. perfect hermetic seal, and facilitates replacements of the seal when required.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in the specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates.

I claim:

1. Photolithographic plate making machine construction for use with a lithographic plate and a negative in sheet form comprising: a relatively rigid lithographic plate support element; a flexible planar sheet for carrying said lithographic sheet and mounted on said support element; resilient means to limit movement of said flexible planar sheet away from said plate support element; a chase having a negative holder for retaining said negative; means to seal said chase against said lithographic plate; and means to withdraw air from between the negative and the plate; whereby upon withdrawal of said air, the flexible planar sheet may move toward said negative and is limited in said movement by said resilient means.

2. Photolithographic plate making machine construction for use with a lithographic plate and a negative in sheet form comprising: a base; a lithographic plate support element mounted upon said base; a flexible planar sheet for carrying said lithographic plate and mounted on said support element; a chase including a main frame mounted upon said base; a negative holder detachably connectable with said main frame; means to seal the main frame against said lithographic plate; means to withdraw air from between the negative and the plate, said planar flexible sheet flexing toward the negative; said planar flexible sheet and said lithographic plate support element hav ing aligned openings; reciprocal limiting means in said openings connecting said sheet and said element to pre vent excessive forward movement of said sheet in the direction of the negative.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Ogden 9573 Huebner 9573 Jones 9573 Huebner 9576 Koppe 9576 Cofiman 95--7'3 10 EVON C. BLUNK, Primary Examiner.

JOHN M. HORAN, Examiner. 

1. PHOTOLITHOGRAPHIC PLATE MAKING MACHINE CONSTRUCTION FOR USE WITH A LITHOGRAPHIC PLATE AND A NEGATIVE IN SHEET FORM COMPRISING; A RELATIVELY RIGID LITHOGRAPHIC PLATE SUPPORT ELEMENT; A FLEXIBLE PLANAR SHEET FOR CARRYING SAID LITHOGRAPHIC SHEET AND MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT ELEMENT; RESILIENT MEANS TO LIMIT MOVEMENT OF SAID FLEXIBLE PLANAR SHEET AWAY FROM SAID PLATE SUPPORT ELEMENT; A CHASE HAVING A NEGATIVE HOLDER FOR RETAINING SAID NEGATIVE; MEANS TO SEAL SAID CHASE AGAINST SAID LITHOGRAPHIC PLATE; AND MEANS TO WITHDRAW AIR FROM BETWEEN THE NEGATIVE AND THE PLATE; WHEREBY UPON WITHDRAWAL OF SAID AIR, THE FLEXIBLE PLANAR SHEET MY MOVE TOWARD SAID NEGATIVE AND IS LIMITED IN SAID MOVEMENT BY SAID RESILIENT MEANS. 